​Why are millennials obsessed with memories of the ‘90s and early 2000s? It seems like there is a certain appeal to the current generation of young Americans about a remembrance of the past. Maybe we realize that while we can’t replicate the past, we can learn from it, and by looking back, look forward. Perhaps among an increasingly creative generation, couldn’t that be what animates our obsession with things past?

“I think a big part of it is that the world has been going through a lot of changes over the past couple of decades,” says Adam Silverstein. “The world keeps changing more and more,” he says, attributing it to the rise of social media and the Internet. “A lot of people want to return to a simpler time...a time when they didn’t have any concerns. When they were younger, they had less responsibility.” Perhaps, in looking to the past, we seek for simplicity in our own ever-complex lives.

In addition, there are some cool things from that time period that we millennials want to get back. Movies, TV shows, games, toys — many of these, in hindsight, were made with a greater understanding of younger audiences than today’s media seems to have.

As student Amber Kinofsky told The Bottom Line, “In our generation, things were actually made for kids, and [TV shows] were made intelligently too, so they are still good when you watch them later.”

It seems like there is an element of permanence to some of the creations from the ‘90s and 2000s that attract millennials because they were made to last -- and lasting quality is something not limited to the ‘90s, but is available for all time.

I wonder if the desire for simpler and better times is more than nostalgia. As millennials enter their early and mid-adulthood, I wonder how their nostalgia for the ‘90s and early 2000s will shine through their future work and lifestyles. Will history repeat itself once more through millennials’ desire to bring back their childhood golden age? Only time will tell.

​On my way to school this morning, two songs came on the radio that were from the ‘90s, and they weren’t just any ‘90s songs – because for some reason, these songs triggered my feelings more than most older songs from that decade that come on the radio here and there. I couldn’t help but feel an especially powerful sense of nostalgia, and it was absolutely awesome! I immediately thought to share it with you.

Music, like smells, has a special ability to grab a hold of my heartstrings and bring me straight back to my childhood. And I can’t lie, I definitely enjoy reliving the times when smart gadgets weren’t a thing, “Rugrats,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, and “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” ruled our world, jellies were in style, and of course, Tamogatchis kept us up all night.

​I’ve created a list of five songs from the ‘90s that really excite me and hopefully will remind you as well of your inner ‘90s kid, even if you weren’t born in the ‘90s. Enjoy!

1. "IRIS"

By Goo Goo Dolls (1998)

3. “WANNABE”BY THE SPICE GIRLS (1996)

2. “TRULY MADLY DEEPLY”BY SAVAGE GARDEN (1997)

4. “BARBIE GIRL”​BY AQUA(1997)

5. “CANT TOUCH THIS" BY MC HAMMER (1990)

And there you have it -- neon colors, the era of grunge, frosted tips, the beginning of dance crazes and today’s very best karaoke songs. There’s nothing like a little bit of the ‘90s to brighten your day. Take a stab at listening to some of these tunes, and before you know it you’ll be singing “Wannabe” in the shower.

​Will technological convergence be the death of the printed word? With the digitization of print evolving by the second, it seems that print newspapers are rapidly losing value. According to an updated report by the Pew Research Center for Journalism and Media, “weekday circulation experienced a decline not seen since the immediate aftermath of the Great Recession…print circulation declined by 9%, while digital circulation increased by 2%.” In the last decade, journalism has entered a stage in which multiple news organizations have either shut down completely, or shifted entirely to the web. The New York Times reported that news companies like the Rocky Mountain News closed, and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, owned by Hearst, shifted entirely online. So, what does the future hold for newspapers in the digital age? ​

​The newspaper industry was, in many ways, hit first and hardest by the advent of the digital age. Although newspaper companies have transitioned online along with magazines, one question remains: Do people prefer paper or a screen? Students like Taylor McNamara, a senior psychology major, enjoys reading print. “I hear our own school paper is considering going online due to cutting costs,” said McNamara. “Just because our generation is immersed in electronics, doesn’t mean we don’t like to read physical copies.”

She continued, “I pick up The Pioneer in-between classes because it’s handy and readily available. As a busy college student, having to go online to learn campus news would be an extra step that I don’t have time to take.”

However, some students find it beneficial to access print news online. “I would choose the online version over print because the online version is easier to navigate, faster and more environmentally friendly,” said Carly Franqui, a junior criminal justice major. Though, Franqui acknowledges problems with reading news online. “Reading online is not easy on the eyes, and I don’t fully pay attention to the stories.” She added, “on a rare occasion when I do pick up a print copy, I take the time to flip through every page of the paper. I feel more accurately informed.”

The question is: If print newspapers were to vanish in the future, will people be as accurately informed digitally? Franqui offered an answer, “there is no way digital news will ever be as captivating as reading print.” She continued, “I doubt print will ever disappear for that reason.”

​Everything is being digitized, and our generation is right in the middle of it all. How will it continue to affect us? News reading is a dynamic phenomenon that affects readers differently, so depending on your point of view, digitized print is either the savior or destroyer of a tradition.

​As a millennial, a history buff, a passionate 20-year-old male, and an aspiring journalist, I find it imperative to inform you about what makes us millennials so unique. I’ve created a list of the six moments that have cultivated our young, up and coming generation.

​AUGUST 29, 1997

We didn’t know it yet, but Netflix’s official launch would lead us away from the traditional tube and into our bedrooms during cold winter nights to watch hit shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Walking Dead, Son’s of Anarchy, Breaking Bad, and countless others.

FEBRUARY 4, 2004

Facebook launches, redefines human interaction, and millennials are the first generation to be introduced to social media before puberty. According to AdWeek.com, 78 percent of millennials have a social media account, but Facebook was the first of those sites to reach our laptops and smartphones.

JANUARY 20, 2009

This was the day our 44th President, Barack Obama, was sworn into the most prestigious office our land has to offer. After shattering what once appeared to be a bulletproof glass ceiling, at just 47 years young, President Obama inspired millennials to believe that no matter how great the adversity, no matter where you start, you can truly become anything you want to be.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

The 9-11 terror attacks rocked our young world. Whether we were 9, 5, or 18 months old, our world was swiftly robbed of its innocence. Historically speaking, 9-11 was just the second attack by a foreign adversary that affected our homeland. We replaced what 9-11 took from us with a civic way of thinking. In other words, we have a strong sense of community, globally and locally.

NOVEMBER 22, 2005

Microsoft launches the X-Box 360. Millennials were the first generation to really take to online gaming, and with over 84 million sold to date, the X-Box was our primary gaming station.

DECEMBER 21, 2009

Music would never be the same. A seasoned Lil’ Wayne, and a young Drake, released the famous collaborative album called “We Are Young Money.” Hit songs ‘Bedrock’ and ‘Every Girl’ would be our prime house party anthems.

1. The ArtFrida Kahlo. Not only were her eyebrows always on fleek, she also had amazing artistic talents. Kahlo was born on July 6, 1907, in Coyoacan, Mexico. Kahlo contributed greatly to Figural Expressionism Art. Most of her 200 paintings are self portraits that touched upon the realities and hardships of self appearance. Frida’s art lives with color as she kept it true to her culture. The bulk of her works did have a melancholic message about events in her life, but used bright and attractive colors commonly seen in Mexican crafts and arts. Frida loved to role play for her art, she would dress up in traditional Mexican dresses and scarves.

​2. The FoodEmpanadas. Allow us to set the stage: imagine a shredded rotisserie seasoned chicken with mashed potatoes, steamed onions, cilantro and tomato, wrapped in a golden crisp shell made of corn dough. This half-sun shaped appetizer is all yours to eat. It’s a true delight filled with flavor and varied with texture. It’s never too late, even if Hispanic Heritage month has passed. Empanadas are commonly found in Hispanic restaurants and bakeries.

3. The Vibrant EventsThe Smithsonian Celebrates Latino Culture. You can see artworks by both Picasso and Kahlo, as well as live performances and eye-opening lectures by visiting the Smithsonian during national Hispanic Heritage month. For a listing of events, visit http://www.si.edu/events/heritagemonth. El Barrio Latin Jazz festival. They aren’t the only ones celebrating the Hispanic/Latino impact on our communities. The El Barrio Latin Jazz festival is also held during Hispanic Heritage month in Harlem and New York City. The Latin Jazz festival is held from mid September to the end of the month to acknowledge the impact of Hispanic Music. Keep reading to #4 on why Hispanic music is so important. Obama Le Gusta Art & Humanities. Obama recently awarded five Latino/Hispanics with the National Medal of Arts and Humanities. The recipients were Author Sandra Cisneros, musician Santiago Jimenez Jr., film director/actor Luis Valdez, playwright Moises Kaufman and Author Rudolfo Anaya. The recipients were honored because they successfully incorporated Latino culture into American Arts and Humanities.

4. The DancingMerengue. How about some Merengue? No, not Meringue pie. The traditional music/dance known for its upbeat style and march-like dance. Merengue originated from the Dominican Republic, but is now well incorporated into Latino culture. A party is not usually a party if no one gets up for some merengue dancing. Famous artists include the band Oro Solido, Juan Luis Guerra, and Olga Tañón.Batchata is famous for its romantic style and two-step slow dance. Batchata also originated from the Dominican Republic. This is the easiest dance to learn; it’s two steps to the right and then two to the left. However, the simplicity does not matter when it comes to the effect the music has. Its lyrics are usually very romantic, and can either make your heart swell up or break. Batchata is perfect for all ages, whether it be your grandparents enjoyng the slow-pace, or a young couple blushing at the firm Batchata hold. Popular artists include Aventura, Prince Royce, and Frank Reyes.

5. Cause We're LitSpanish/Latino literature is filled with the same variety and sentiment of other literature. It explores common topics like love, confusion and sadness. After all, all humans feel; all that changes is the languages we feel in. There is a wide selection of poets and novelists you can enjoy; the most pominent is Pablo Neruda. Famous for his poetry, his words usually have a bittersweet effect on your soul. His birth name is actually Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto. Neruda, born in Chile, won a Nobel Prize for Literature. His poems range from discussions on love, fake friends and politics. Neruda has a harsh yet romantic voice and commonly has me yelling “hell yeah!” after every line.

6. The InventionsYou might not feel the need to celebrate a culture that is not yours. Would that change if you knew things you use everyday were invented by a Latino/Hispanic? Captcha. Have you ever been asked if you were a robot? And then asked to rewrite blurred letters/number presented in a small box? That’s Captcha, a form of preventing spam and other bugs from corrupting the website. Martin Abadi, an Argentinian computer scientist, was part of the small group of inventors that created this system. How ‘bout them apples? Or cookies? Birth Control. Yes, it can be annoying, but it’s a necessity if you plan on being sexually active and do not plan on having children anytime soon. For this, thank Luis E. Miramonte, a Mexican scientist famous for co-inventing progestin norethisterone, used in oral contraceptives.

7. The Work EthicLazy? Rapists? Drug Lords? We might wish. More like, arthritis, back aches and chipped nails. Most of Latino/ Hispanic immigrants start off, and for most, remain in manual labor jobs. Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t bad. Bad is being paid $9 a day rather than an hour. Having to use all your scarce recourses to make a living for you and your family. Like my aunt says, “I’d rather be poor in the U.S. than poor in El Salvador. At least here, my work gets me breakfast, lunch and dinner.” Work ethic is so strong; Latino/Hispanics might actually be willing to build the Trump wall themselves if they get paid. Either way, we’re winning. This year might be too late to properly celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, which began Sept. 15 and ends Oct. 15. However, Hispanic/Latino culture should be appreciated all year-long! Diversity is an amazing thing, and being culturally aware is even better. Always keep in mind that we all shed the same colored blood. Hope these reasons come in handy for next year’s Hispanic Heritage month!​